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April 1, 2021

Newsletter for Offshore Residents of Pittwater, Australia - Volume 22, Issue 1150

Time to Go!
Community support sought for a new SIGA
Mr Lovett? Ms Elvina? The story behind some offshore place names
Scotland Island Crime Spree
Clean Up Australia Day
Sunday 4 April 2021: Daylight saving ends
International Folk Dancing
The Two Catherines Café
Feast for Freedom
The Festival of Making
The Island Race
Creative Illustration and Watercolour workshops
For sale: two bed frames
For sale: bar stools and tow raft
The Local Contact Guide
Join Scotland Island Residents Association
Join West Pittwater Community Association
Archived Newsletters
Your subscription Information

Time to Go!

Nearly 13 years ago I hesitantly took over the editorship of the PON from Paul Purvis. I had little idea what it really involved, nor did I realise I would get so involved that I would still be doing it 13 years later! Having looked after the PON on one or two occasions when Paul was away, I knew enough to want to continue the fine tradition of the newsletter which had been an important part of this community for such a long time.

Looking back, I can now say that the experience of managing the PON over the years has been an extraordinary one. It has been educational, great fun, inspiring, very satisfying, frustrating, tiring, time consuming and, far too many times, incredibly sad. I am pleased to say that over the years our readership has grown, and the introduction of the PON's Facebook page has proven successful and has become a relevant source of information in the community in its own right.

But none of it would have happened without you the contributors, the artists, the people in the stories and articles, the contentious issues, the meetings, the floods, the fires, the storms, the celebrations, the races, the festivals, the exhibitions, the dinners and the unbearable losses that many have endured. To all of you, I thank you, and to those who have stopped and praised me for the work done, I am humbled by your generosity.

I need to acknowledge two people who have been so incredibly supportive throughout my tenure. Nathalie, my darling partner who has never complained when I disappear into the study to do yet another PON most Sundays, and to Cass Gye for her incredible source of knowledge and information, her endless reminders and messages that helped fill the newsletters. But most of all her beautiful encouragement and consistent praise over the years. To both of you I am truly grateful.

I leave feeling proud of having being able to continue the tradition of the PON, and I leave in the knowledge that someone with equal interest in preserving our tradition is taking over. Roy Baker, as many would know, has been on the island, well, forever! He knows the lay of the land, so-to-speak, with diverse interests and involvement in this community, and with a keen interest in our history he is more than capable of taking the PON to the next level. He will be an excellent editor!

So, with a twinge of sadness I say farewell as editor and hand it over to you, Roy.

Julian

Community Support Sought for a New SIGA -

Scotland Island Golfing Association

A group of enthusiasts are seeking expressions of interest from the Scotland Island community to become foundation members of a newly established boutique golf course on Scotland Island.

The proposal involves the re-purposing of some under-utilised community assets, in particular the disused Kindy building that sits to the side of Catherine Park. It is proposed that the building be refurbished, to become the SIGA's clubhouse (candidate name is “5th Hole House”).

It is proposed that Catherine Park be transformed into a 3 short-hole golf course, with a future 4th hole to be located in the middle of the reclaimed enclosed bay and accessed via a grassed walkway from the northern end of Catherine Park.
This exciting proposal includes the renaming of Catherine Park to Scotland Island Golf Park and Tennis Wharf to be renamed Golf Course Wharf.

The added benefit is that the area just below the Scotland Island Rural Fire Brigade would be incorporated into the Golf Course precinct, allowing members’ golf buggies to be legally parked at all times and permitting transit along the Island roads, as long as all journeys terminated back at the golf course. All members would receive a special Access Permit for this conditional use.

This innovative proposal has the backing and patronage of Will Yeagar, a former US National and Masters champion from the late 80s. Indeed the idea came to Yeagar following a visit to the island two years ago whilst visiting Sydney and Pittwater for the Sydney to Hobart race. He said "I saw this lovely little green island in the middle of Pittwater with all these golf buggies and thought wouldn't it be great to have a small select golf course here."

Additional information will be published following further consultation with Council and the community. Interested parties are welcome to submit expressions of interest in foundational membership of the club. Alternatively, you can simply comment by clicking here.

Mr Lovett? Ms Elvina?

The story behind some offshore place names

Roy Baker

Scotland Island was named by Andrew Thompson, who was born in the Scottish borders in 1773 and transported to New South Wales at 18. Thompson died in 1810, having become one of the colony’s wealthiest settlers. John Lovett, another early settler, lived in the eponymous bay during the 1830s. Towler’s Bay, on the other hand, got its name from Bill Toler, who used to camp there in the nineteenth century. Many locals resist the bay’s official name, Morning Bay, although it bore that name as far back as 1869.
Herbert Fitzpatrick

While those local place names have their roots in the first years of colonisation, many others are of more recent origin. They derive from the Fitzpatrick family, who owned Scotland Island and parts of the western foreshore in the early part of the last century.

Born in 1889, Herbert J Fitzpatrick was a builder involved in developing residential areas around Church Point, Newport and Avalon in the 1920s. Herbert helped found the Royal Motor Yacht Club in 1926. He also chose Scotland Island for his honeymoon with Florence, another keen sailor.

When it came to subdividing the Fitzpatrick estate for housing, family members were commemorated in the naming of many places. According to the family, Elvina Bay honours Florence’s aunt, Elvina Bouffier, who introduced Herbert to his wife. The name Elvina was also given to Herbert and Florence’s only daughter, as well as the boat in which Florence won the 1928 Ladies Handicap race.

Pat & Hilda Bouffier

Turning to Scotland Island, The Fitzpatrick family resonates in the names of most streets. Encircling the island are Florence Terrace, Richard Rd and Robertson Rd. The first obviously derives its name from Herbert’s wife, while the second is named after Richard Fitzpatrick, Herbert’s father.

Elizabeth Robertson married one of Herbert’s brothers, while another brother, Harold, gave his name to the lower part of 'Heartbreak Hill’, just above Carol's Wharf and beloved by island joggers. Kevin Ave, which runs uphill alongside the fire shed, is named after Charles Kevin, Herbert’s brother-in-law.

As for Scotland Island’s reserves, Pathilda’s curious name derives from two sisters, Pat and Hilda, granddaughters of Elvina Bouffier, after whom the bay is named. Here the girls are pictured with their mother, also called Elvina. Hilda (standing) died as recently as 1997.

Elizabeth Park, covering the island's summit, acts as a memorial to Herbert’s mother, while Florence’s mother, Catherine Bouffier, lent her name to Catherine Park.

More recently, Catherine Bouffier has been commemorated in the naming of the Two Catherines café, held at Scotland Island Community Hall twice Neil Evers & Vivianne Byrnes

per month. The other Catherine was Catherine Bens (sometimes spelt Benns), so-called ‘Queen of Scotland Island’. Bens died in 1920, two decades before her namesake. Bens worked as a midwife and child carer in the area.

And it was at the said café that on 14 March descendants of the Two Catherines came together. Catherine Bens’ great great nephew, Neil Evers, gave his Welcome to Country, while Vivianne Byrnes, great granddaughter of Catherine Bouffier, recounted her family’s connection with Pittwater.

To find out more about Scotland Island streets and reserves named after the Fitzpatrick family, click here.

To read Vivianne Byrnes’ account of her family history, click here.

Scotland Island Crime Spree

The Police are taking action in relation to a number of recent incidents on Scotland Island. These include the taking of vehicles, breaking into the Community Hall and entering a home at night while the occupants were asleep.

The Police have talked to witnesses and this week forensic experts examined the hall for evidence.

If anyone has information relating to any of these incidents, they should call Broken Bay Water Police on 02 9910 7899.

Clean Up Australia Day

Many thanks go to all who helped with Clean Up Australia Day on 7 March.

The western foreshores were tidied by Jane Jobson, Ryan Stidwell, Mel Broughton and Lisa Atkins. The streets of Scotland Island were cleared of accumulated junk by Cass Guy, Roy Baker, Karen Burns and Will Douglas. Others picked up rubbish from the island's reserves and beaches. Volunteers included Tim Ives, Hamish Cumming and Alberto Meuci, who helped remove seven old boats from Carol's Wharf.

Thanks also go to Toby Jay and the crew of the Broken Bay Lighterage Barge, the ‘Laurel Mae’, which took the collected detritus to Church Point. The barge was crewed by Dave Gibbs, Vinnie & Dave Wray, John Moses, Murray Bakker, Dave Walsh and Jasper Paul.

Toby Jay paid particular tribute to Cass Guy, organiser of the event. 'Over the 20-odd years of my involvement with Clean Up Australia Day, Cass has always been front and centre and her efforts over those years are to be highly commended', said Toby.

Sunday 4 April 2021 - Daylight Saving Ends

On Sunday, 4 April 2021, immediately before 3:00:00 am, clocks are turned back 1 hour to
Sunday, 4 April 2021, 2:00:00 am.

International Folk Dancing

Saturday, 3 April, 7 - 9 pm

Saturday, 1 May, 7 - 9 pm

Saturday, 29 May, 7 - 9 pm

The Two Catherines Café

Sunday, 11 April, 10 am - 12 noon

Sunday, 25 April, 10 am - 12 noon

Feast for Freedom

Saturday, 17 April, 5:30 - 8 pm

The Festival of Making

Saturday, 24 April, 8:15 am - 3:30 pm

The workshop schedule for the Festival of Making is included below. Please watch the Scotland Island and Offshore Community Facebook page for details on when bookings will open: it will be soon! Alternatively, contact Gemma Rasdall at info@gemmarasdall.com.

The Island Race

Two Catherines Café, Catherine Park, Scotland Island

Sunday, 23 May, 9:45 - 12 noon

Are you interested in testing your fitness and agility? Led by a qualified physical trainer, the Island Race will involve a run and the completion of a specially designed obstacle course. And there will be prizes!

Open to all (children under 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult).

Entry: $20, which includes a hot drink and a cake or savoury product at the Two Catherines Café. (Profits go to the RFS.)

Limited to 20 participants. To register your interest and to find out more, email editor@scotlandisland.org.au. Please provide the names and ages of those interested in participating.

Creative Illustration and Watercolour workshops

by Nettie Lodge

For sale: two bed frames

For sale:

Child’s single bed frame: white with shelf. (The book shelf is the bed head and they are one piece, ie cannot be separated.) $300 including mattress for trundle and single mattress with mattress protector.
Grey single bed frame: $70.

Call Jila if interested: 0404 809 769.

For sale: bar stools and tow raft

For sale:

Four kitchen bar stools: solid condition. $20 each
Inflatable tow raft / double tube: complete for two persons, with ropes and pump. $80

Contact Nick 0468 575 582.

The Local Guide

Community Information

Scotland Island Web Site - www.scotlandisland.org.au

What's On Event Calendar - click to go to the Calendar

Scotland Island Residents Facebook Page - click to go to Page

Scotland Island Rural Fire Brigade - 9999 4404 - http://www.sirfb.org.au

West Pittwater Rural Fire Brigade - 9997 3795

Offshore Photo Gallery - offshore gallery

Scotland Island Residents Association (SIRA) Membership details - click here for details

West Pittwater Community Association (WPCA) - www.westpittwater.com.au

Scotland Island Emergency Non-potable Water

Agreement for Sale of Non-potable Water
SIRA Membership Application
Emergency Non-potable Water Guidelines
General Information, Map & Contacts

http://www.scotlandisland.org.au/community/emergency-water/

Scotland Island Community Hall Bookings: hall@sira.org.au

Pittwater Online News - http://www.pittwateronlinenews.com

Tick Fact Sheet

TUG Waitlist (Tennis User Group) - Application Form

Transport

Scotland Island Community Vehicle - 0404 103 700 - Number, Usage & Charges

Palm Beach Cruises - 02 9997 4815

Church Point Ferries - 0408 296 997 Ferry Timetable click here

Pink Water Taxi - 0428 238 190

Pittwater Enterprises - Contact Tim Byrne on 0416 003 205

Broken Bay Lighterage & Mooring Services - Barges - Scotland Island - Toby/Dave - 0418 649 158

Manly Warringah Cabs - 02 9972 5600

Real Estate

PMC Hill - 9999 4902 http://www.pmchill.com.au/

John Gavagna at Residential Real Estate Agents – 9999 4499 www.residentialagents.com.au

Waterford Partners Pty Ltd - Therese O'Neill 0424 22 44 12

LJ Hooker Mona Vale - 9979 8000 - http://www.ljhooker.com.au/monavale

Murray Bakker – Stone – murraybakker@stonerealestate.com.au – 0449 901 669

Mark Allan - www.waterfrontpropertysles.com.au - 0419 777 500

Sam Thompson - McGrath Estate Agents - SamThompson@mcgrath.com.au

Services, Clubs & Accommodation

Justice of the Peace - Bob Mitchell (Mackerel Beach) - 0419 745 628

Justice of the Peace - Tony Hendel - 0419 242 723

Justice of the Peace - Andy Derijk (Elvina Bay) - 0418 613 890

Justice of the Peace - Lexie Le Blang 0418 399 674 or 9999 2574

Justice of the Peace - Graham Stenner - 0407 216 405

Justice of the Peace - Carolyn Milani - 0409 914 699

Pittwater Community Arts Inc. - enquiries Lorrie Morgan 9997 8079 - lorriemay@bigpond.com

Peninsula Music Club - enquiries Janice Tuynman - 9999 1937 - jt@swift dsl.com.au

Woody Point Yacht Club - http://www.wpyc.com.au; commodore@wpyc.com.au

Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club - 02 9997 1022 http://www.rpayc.com.au/

Royal Motor Yacht Club - http://www.royalmotor.com.au/ 02 9997 5511

Scotland Island Lodge - Bed & Breakfast - 02 9979 3301 or http://www.scotlandislandlodge.com.au

Pittwater Youth Hostel - (02) 9999 5748 (8-11 am and 5-8 pm)
http://www.yha.com.au/hostels/nsw/sydney-surrounds/pittwater/

Handy Service - "No job too small" - call Alan 0447 775 541

Electrician Wayne on Scotland Island 0418 229 277 - offshore community sparky - www.sparky.com.au

David Walsh - Graphic Design - Custom Made Sculpture - 0404 239 212 - ital2@optusnet.com.au

Dog Wash & Grooming - Call Jenni: 0450 444 100 or email: jena50@hotmail.com

Free Pump Outs for Boats - Council with RMS installed a pump out at Careel Bay wharf

Top water purification system installed for offshore homes: Call Juliette 0418 349 448

Solicitor - Rachel Carter - Carter O'Neill Legal - 0406 239 946

Island Based Domestic Cleaner - Kath - 0405 097 424 - kathando@yahoo.com

Building Design and Drafting Services - Samuela Madej – Murphy ph. 0450331573
email: samuelamadej@gmail.com

Qualified Deep Tissue & Swedish Massage - Mona 0490701213

Island Based Cleaner - Uses predominantly Organic & Natural Products - Mona 0490701213

Broken Bay Barges & Sydney Commercial Diving Services - Brent Taylor - 0409 269 404 - taylordmarine@gmail.com

J&M Property Care - Jamie - 0488665 685, Michelle - 0402 942 063 - Brochure - michellesala00@gmail.com

Nikki Gibson - Qualified Bookkeeper and Registered BAS Agent - 0425 227 792 - nikkigibson22@gmail.com

Aaron Tree Carpentry & Building - 0406773691 - aarontree.a1@gmail.com

Professional Chainsaw Sharpening - Peter - 0410 633 351 - plfishfingers@bigpond.com

Plumber - Steve Blackwood - Sewpro Pty Ltd - 0424 224 681

Island Classes (Fitness, Dance, Art etc)

Art Classes - drawing and painting in oils, acrylics and mixed media - Marion 0431 457 431

Dru Yoga - Tuesdays 9.00 to 10.30 am - phone Katya on 0414 187 916

Outdoor Circuit Training Classes on Scotland Island - Lowri Dwyer - 0450 201 650 - lowri_89@icloud.com - https://www.facebook.com/lowri.dwyer/

Yoga in the Community Hall - Saturdays 8.30am & Wednesdays 6pm
One Hour Classes | All Levels Welcome | Limited places | BYO mat and props
Register: https://www.momoyoga.com/the-balance-collective/
More Info: mandy@thebalancecollective.com or 0424 199 766
Instagram: @thebalancecollective

Groups

Green Group For Catherine Park - Emmie Collins on 0405 330 781

Catherine Park Bush Care Group, 2nd Sunday @ 9.30am, Sharon Kinnison @ 9997 6017

Island Thinking Group - Roy Baker: roybaker99@yahoo.com

Government Organisations

Northern Beaches Council - 9970 1111 - email pittwater@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au For the web site click here
Northern Beaches eNewsletter - Sign up for the Northern Beaches Council monthly e-newsletter
Northern Beaches 'Have your Say' - https://www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/council/have-your-say

Member for Mackellar Jason George Falinski, email by clicking here or at jason.falinski.mp@aph.gov.au

Member for Pittwater Rob Stokes, email pittwater@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Airlines, Buses and Railways

Sydney Airport: Arrivals and Departures	Qantas: Information	Jetstar: Information	Virgin Blue: Information
Sydney Buses: Information.	Sydney Ferries: Information	City Rail: Timetables & Information.	Country Link Rail: Timetable

Weather

Pittwater Weather
Scotland Island Tides, Moon phases, Sunrise & Sunset
Local Weather Forecast
Radar weather for Sydney (128k circle)

Emergency Contact Numbers

ALL EMERGENCIES (Police - Fire - Ambulance)	000
Police Assistance Line & Information	13 1444 or 9281 0000
Broken Bay Water Police	9910 7899 or 0412 162 093
Marine Rescue Broken Bay - Weekend	(02) 9999 3554 - (02) 8411 1121
Marine Rescue Broken Bay - VHF Radio channel	VHF Radio Channel: VHF 16 27MHz Radio Channel: 86 or 88
Scotland Island Rural Fire Service	9999 4404
Elvina Bay Rural Fire Service	9997 3795
Lovett Bay Rural Fire Service	9979 1612
Mackerel Beach Rural Fire Service	9974 1162
Rural Fire Service Headquarters Terrey Hills	9450 3000
NSW Fire Service General Information 9265 2999	9265 2999
Rural Fire Service General information	9450 3000
State Emergency Service, Warringah/Pittwater SES	13 25 00 9486 3399
National Parks & Wildlife Service: 000, general information	9457 9322
Dept of Community Services: general information	9977 6011
Sydney Water	132 090
Energy Australia	131 388, (ah) 131 909

The Scotland Island community website is at www.scotlandisland.org.au

Join SIRA

You can now join the Scotland Island Residents’ Association through the online self-service portal at sira.org.au

Alternatively, there are offline methods of joining. Read more here or contact secretary@sira.org.au

Join West Pittwater Community Association

http://www.westpittwater.com.au

To join the Western Pittwater Community Association http://www.westpittwater.com.au/Contact/join-the-wpca

Archived Newsletters

A complete set of past electronic newsletters since May 2000 can be found and read at https://ymlp.com/archive_gesgjgm.php or by clicking here or by visiting the Mona Vale Library.

Pittwater Offshore Photo Gallery

A Photographic Record of Offshore Community Events

Updated 1st Jan 2020

Christmas Eve Dog Race
Christmas Lunch

To Contribute

If you would like to contribute to this newsletter it's easy! Send an e-mail to the editor (editor@scotlandisland.org.au) or click here. Type your contribution (100 words or so would be fine) and assuming it is of general interest to the community, does not include matter of a political nature and is not offensive, it will appear next month.

Subscription Information

To get on and off this newsletter, click here or go to: http://www.scotlandisland.org.au/signup.
To change your address, click the 'modify' link at the bottom of this newsletter or send an email to the editor@scotlandisland.org.au.

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The Online Local Contacts Guide

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The Editor and the publisher disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, articles or products referred to in this publication. Further, the views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the Scotland Island Residents Association (SIRA), or the Western Pittwater Community Association (WPCA)